Close Up
Elections in Morocco: the democratic exercise
An analysis of the suprising outcome of Marocco's General Elections.
The outcome of a tight election was unexpected as the Independence Party, Istiqlal, came first in the ballots. Having obtained 16% of all votes, they are assured 52 seats of the 325 seats in the Moroccan Parliament. As to the Justice and Development Party (JDP), winner in the polls, they only gained 47 seats. The people’s movement (PM) a Berber party, gathered 43 seats coming third; and in fourth place with 38 seats, the National Rally of Independents (NRI). The party that lost the most these elections was the Socialist Union of People’s Forces (SUPF) losing a quarter of the seats they had won during the 2002 elections. From being the main party in Parliament, they find themselves fifth with only 36 seats. Thirty three political parties had presented themselves.
Inspired by the AKP’s success in Turkey, the JDP aimed at being the leading political formation in Morocco, expecting to place between 70 and 80 of their members in Parliament. Amongst the elements that brought on their failure, first is the re-cutting of the electoral constituencies. The JDP thus lost a part of its electorate, the urban seats being reduced in favour of the rural constituencies’ seats, where voters vote more out of regional or tribal considerations then ideological ones. But there is also the last minute appearance, of new Islamic parties in the political race, which deprived the JDP of some potential voters. The Berber element is to be taken into account to explain the honourable results of the PM.
A few reasons can explain the poor performance by the SUPF; amongst them, the un-fulfilment of the electoral promises made by them during the previous elections. The alphabetisation rate is only of 50%, and the health care and educational systems are dilapidated, poverty is everywhere. Added to that, the party itself is undergoing serious strains with a few of its members wanting a total recast. It seems paralysed.
The second big surprise of these elections was the never yet equalled abstention rate, 63% (48% in 2002), and this despite a highly publicised electoral campaign. Yet it is notorious that many Moroccans consider the Parliament as a simple recording chamber, as the important decisions are reserved for the King.
Nevertheless, the September 7th elections have perhaps ushered Morocco’s political reforms into a new phase. The participation of political parties was not restricted as had been the case in the previous elections. Moreover, the voting went through transparently, as reported by the 50 international observers present. What can we await now? Morocco’s electoral system has been conceived in such a manner that no party can attain absolute majority in the parliament, on its own. Istiqlal has already assured the SUPF that they will renew their alliance with them, the “Democratic Koutla”. As to the JDP, it will surely immediately rejoin the opposition. But it the end everything depends on Mohammed VI, who will be forming the new government.
Ines Ward research assistant trainee at CERMAM
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- Origin CERMAM
- http://www.cermam.org/en/logs/zoom/elections_in_morocco_the_democ/
- Publié le 14 September 2007